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Old 01-04-2013, 08:16 PM   #1
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Is A Trailer an RV?

Tonight, my daughter-in-law said that she thought that an RV had to be self-propelled, like a motor home or "four-wheeler." I had always thought of a trailer as an RV. After a quick Google look, I'm not sure if there is a clear answer. What do you think, is a trailer an RV?
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:23 PM   #2
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Yes, so are 5th wheels, off road vehicles, 4 wheelers, 3 wheelers, etc. Basically every type of vehicle that has a recreational purpose. Drives me crazy when I look up ads for RV's and all I see are 4 wheelers. GRRRRRRRR!
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:28 PM   #3
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I like the Merriam-Webster definition, especially the ....

Synonyms: caravan, motor home, camper, RV, trailer

Related Words: house trailer, mobile home; coach, van

However, to answer your question... I don't call my trailer an RV, I refer to it as a towable.
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:36 PM   #4
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Yep siree, they sure are.

It is a vehicle I recreate in, therefore a Recreational Vehicle.
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:40 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Steve Hammel View Post
Yes, so are 5th wheels, off road vehicles, 4 wheelers, 3 wheelers, etc. Basically every type of vehicle that has a recreational purpose. Drives me crazy when I look up ads for RV's and all I see are 4 wheelers. GRRRRRRRR!
Steve, I know where you are coming from, but it is not common for 4 wheelers to be referred to as RV's around here, at least as far as my paying attention goes. They are more commonly called quads or ATV's, and a few even call them bikes for some reason. I guess just like most refer to snowmobiles as sleds nowadays.
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:47 PM   #6
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Jim, I personally don't feel they should be considered RV's but my local Craigslist is full of them under the category RV. I try to look up trailers and 5th wheels and have to get past all the junk.
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:52 PM   #7
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The common usage in the "recreational vehicle" industry is to refer to self-propelled as RV, trailer as trailer for the obvious purpose of making distinctions. Obviously a bicycle is a recreational vehicle, perhaps a little red wagon also.

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Old 01-04-2013, 08:56 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray N View Post
Tonight, my daughter-in-law said that she thought that an RV had to be self-propelled, like a motor home or "four-wheeler."
When you go on Craigslist looking to buy a Travel Trailer, under what classification do you find it?
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:57 PM   #9
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Jim, I personally don't feel they should be considered RV's but my local Craigslist is full of them under the category RV. I try to look up trailers and 5th wheels and have to get past all the junk.

Silly Americans.
*ducks and runs*
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Old 01-04-2013, 08:58 PM   #10
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Oddly some dictionaries feel that a vehicle is simply a conveyance like wheelbarrow (but perhaps not like a suitcase so probably to do with WHEELED) and some say it's a self-propelled convenance (as in an engine not Cheerio-powered).

RV: IT CAN BE WHAT YOU WANT IT DO BE! Because mine hinges in the middle I call it an Articulatible LOL.

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Old 01-04-2013, 09:08 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson View Post
When you go on Craigslist looking to buy a Travel Trailer, under what classification do you find it?
Beauty and Health?
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:11 PM   #12
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to me rv = engine. no engine = camper.
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:15 PM   #13
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to me rv = engine. no engine = camper.
A camper is the thing that gets mounted in a pickup bed around here. Either that, or the person that uses any RV.
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:20 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
A camper is the thing that gets mounted in a pickup bed around here. Either that, or the person that uses any RV.
Yeah, but you guys wear your toque's a little tight, eh?

I do see your point, though, hmm...

I don't know why, but the term "travel trailer" just rubs me wrong.

I got it, I have a fifth wheel! *phew* All good again.
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:23 PM   #15
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Yeah, but you guys wear your toque's a little tight, eh?

I got it, I have a fifth wheel! *phew* All good again.
Hush yer festerin' gob, you. (but you might just be right)

So then, you are saying you have a fifth wheel travel trailer.....nice.
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:26 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Ray N View Post
Tonight, my daughter-in-law said that she thought that an RV had to be self-propelled, like a motor home

I agree with your DIL. What is there about the word "vehicle" that pertains to a travel trailer?????

But most around here call their trailers Rv's. Some even call them, coaches. Personally that is stretching it big time! No matter what they are not coaches.



And can I ask, since when does a "craigslist" (lump it all together) sub-catergory define anything? LOL...... That reasoning cracks me up!
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:26 PM   #17
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Mine is either an egg, trailer, or I prefer a caravan


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Old 01-04-2013, 10:30 PM   #18
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California refers to mine as a "camp trailer" and lets me register it very cheaply. Big TT's and RV's aren't as cheap. Washington calls it a travel trailer and soaks me just as if it were a huge TT. But not as much as a motorhome. But elsewhere Washington defines an RV as a motorhome, travel trailer, camp trailer, or camper. (That's under trip permit so they may have thrown in the term "camp trailer" to recognize trailers like mine from other states.)
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:37 PM   #19
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What is there about the word "vehicle" that pertains to a travel trailer?????
Put another way, what is there about the word "vehicle" that pertains only to vehicles with engines?

A vehicle is any means of carrying something or someone. It is not a definition particular to just vehicles that have engines.
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Old 01-04-2013, 10:43 PM   #20
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For instance, when Jim is cross-country skiing, he is a recreational vehicle. Kitchen and bedroom in the knapsack on his back.
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